Using adaptive architecture to support yoga practices: social considerations for design

The field of Adaptive Architecture aims to design built environments, which truly adapt to their occupants. ExoBuilding is an in-house prototypical example of Adaptive Architecture, which actuates in response to breathing and heart- rate of its occupants. In this work-in-progress paper, we discuss our aims to apply the technology to the practice of Yoga, in which a core aspect is controlled breathing. We explore the social considerations of deploying this novel technology, and then examine the different possibilities for interaction

Sticky brown sludge everywhere: can sludge explain barriers to green behaviour?

Behavioural science has sought to promote pro-environmental behaviours, like climate-friendly dietary change, and reducing travel emissions, and excessive waste. Nevertheless, there is a debate about how effective behavioural interventions are, and in turn, about the real barriers to enduring pro-environmental behaviour change. In this context, we conceptualise brown sludge as multilevel impediment to pro-environmental behaviour change, which results in higher environmental costs shared by the broader society, rather than solely by the individual actor. Building on Shahab and Lades (2021), we propose that brown sludge comprises an array of additional transaction costs, encompassing, but not restricted to, psychological, temporal, and uncertainty costs. Brown sludge can occur at the individual, social, institutional, and societal levels. Examples include confusing eco-information, delay and disinformation campaigns, and complicated systems and infrastructure leading to carbon lock-in

Crop rotational complexity affects plant-soil nitrogen cycling during water deficit

One of the biggest environmental challenges facing agriculture is how to both supply and retain nitrogen (N), especially as precipitation becomes more variable with climate change. We used a greenhouse experiment to assess how contrasting histories of crop rotational complexity affect plant-soil-microbe interactions that govern N processes, including during water stress. With higher levels of carbon and N cycling hydrolytic enzymes, higher mineral-associated organic matter N concentrations, and an altered microbial community, soils from the most complex rotation enabled 80% more corn N uptake under two moisture regimes, compared to soil from monoculture corn. Higher levels of plant N likely drove the changes in corn leaf gas exchange, particularly increasing intrinsic water use efficiency by 9% in the most complex rotation. The water deficit increased the standing pool of nitrate 44-fold in soils with a history of complex crop rotations, compared to an 11-fold increase in soils from the corn monoculture. The implications of this difference must be considered in a whole cropping systems and field context. Cycling of 15N-labeled fresh clover residue into soil N pools did not depend on the water regime or rotation history, with 2-fold higher recovery in the mineral vs. particulate organic N pool. In contrast, the water deficit reduced recovery of clover 15N in corn shoots by 37%, showing greater impacts of water deficit on plant N uptake compared to organic N cycling in soil. This study provides direct experimental evidence that long-term crop rotational complexity influences microbial N cycling and availability with feedbacks to plant physiology. Collectively, these results could help explain general observations of higher yields in more complex crop rotations, including specifically during dry conditions

Practice transformations to optimize the delivery of HIV primary care in community healthcare settings in the United States: A program implementation study.

BackgroundThe United States HIV care workforce is shrinking, which could complicate service delivery to people living with HIV (PLWH). In this study, we examined the impact of practice transformations, defined as efficiencies in structures and delivery of care, on demonstration project sites within the Workforce Capacity Building Initiative, a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS).Methods and findingsData were collected at 14 demonstration project sites in 7 states and the District of Columbia. Organizational assessments were completed at sites once before and 4 times after implementation. They captured 3 transformation approaches: maximizing the HIV care workforce (efforts to increase the number of existing healthcare workforce members involved in the care of PLWH), share-the-care (team-based care giving more responsibility to midlevel providers and staff), and enhancing client engagement in primary HIV care to reduce emergency and inpatient care (e.g., care coordination). We also obtained Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Services Reports (RSRs) from sites for calendar years (CYs) 2014-2016, corresponding to before, during, and after transformation. The RSR include data on client retention in HIV care, prescription of antiretroviral therapy (ART), and viral suppression. We used generalized estimating equation (GEE) models to analyze changes among sites implementing each practice transformation approach. The demonstration projects had a mean of 18.5 prescribing providers (SD = 23.5). They reported data on more than 13,500 clients per year (mean = 969/site, SD = 1,351). Demographic characteristics remained similar over time. In 2014, a majority of clients were male (71% versus 28% female and 0.2% transgender), with a mean age of 47 (interquartile range [IQR] 37-54). Racial/ethnic characteristics (48% African American, 31% Hispanic/Latino, 14% white) and HIV risk varied (31% men who have sex with men; 31% heterosexual men and women; 7% injection drug use). A substantial minority was on Medicaid (41%). Across sites, there was significant uptake in practices consistent with maximizing the HIV care workforce (18% increase, p < 0.001), share-the-care (25% increase, p < 0.001), and facilitating patient engagement in HIV primary care (13% increase, p < 0.001). There were also significant improvements over time in retention in HIV care (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.04; p < 0.001), ART prescription levels (aOR = 1.01; 95% CI 1.00-1.01; p < 0.001), and viral suppression (aOR = 1.03; 95% CI 1.02-1.04; p < 0.001). All outcomes improved at sites that implemented transformations to maximize the HIV care workforce or improve client engagement. At sites that implemented share-the-care practices, only retention in care and viral suppression outcomes improved. Study limitations included use of demonstration project sites funded by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP), which tend to have better HIV outcomes than other US clinics; varying practice transformation designs; lack of a true control condition; and a potential Hawthorne effect because site teams were aware of the evaluation.ConclusionsIn this study, we found that practice transformations are a potential strategy for addressing anticipated workforce challenges among those providing care to PLWH. They hold the promise of optimizing the use of personnel and ensuring the delivery of care to all in need while potentially enhancing HIV care continuum outcomes

The 2010 August 01 type II burst: A CME-CME Interaction, and its radio and white-light manifestations

We present observational results of a type II burst associated with a CME-CME interaction observed in the radio and white-light wavelength range. We applied radio direction-finding techniques to observations from the STEREO and Wind spacecraft, the results of which were interpreted using white-light coronagraphic measurements for context. The results of the multiple radio-direction finding techniques applied were found to be consistent both with each other and with those derived from the white-light observations of coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The results suggest that the Type II burst radio emission is causally related to the CMEs interaction.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, Accepted to ApJ: January 16, 201

Listening to the forest and its curators: lessons learnt from a bioacoustic smartphone application deployment

Our natural environment is complex and sensitive, and is home to a number of species on the verge of extinction. Surveying is one approach to their preservation, and can be supported by technology. This paper presents the deployment of a smartphone-based citizen science biodiversity application. Our findings from interviews with members of the biodiversity community revealed a tension between the technology and their established working practices. From our experience, we present a series of general guidelines for those designing citizen science apps Full Citation Moran, Stuart, Pantidi, Nadia, Rodden, Tom, Chamberlain, Alan, Griffiths, Chloe, Zilli, Davide, Merrett, Geoff V. and Rogers, Alex (2014) Listening to the forest and its curators: lessons learnt from a bioacoustic smartphone application deployment. In, ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Toronto, CA, 26 Apr - 01 May 2014. (doi:10.1145/2556288.255702)

Predicted distribution of High Nature Value farmland in the Republic of Ireland

peer-reviewedHigh Nature Value (HNV) farmland is typically characterised by low-intensity farming associated with high biodiversity and species of conservation concern. Mapping the occurrence and distribution of such farmland are useful for appropriate targeting of conservation measures and supporting associated rural communities. We mapped the likely distribution of HNV farmland in the Republic of Ireland using a linear regression model incorporating established European indicators, adapted for Ireland and weightings based on expert opinion. The indicators used were semi-natural habitat cover, stocking density, hedgerow density, river and stream density and soil diversity, with highest weightings placed on the first two indicators (40% and 30%, respectively). The map provides information on the likely occurrence and distribution of HNV farmland in each electoral division as a reference point for future monitoring of the distribution of HNV farmland in the Republic of Ireland in order to assist with planning and policy development for the rural environment.This study was conducted by Teagasc and IT Sligo as part of the IDEAL-HNV project [Ref. 11/S/108], funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under the National Development Plan 2007–2013

Predicting the Distribution of High Nature Value farmland in Ireland: IDEAL-HNV

Conference presentation outlining the IDEAL-HNV projec

Ultrasound use to assess Crohn’s disease in the UK: a survey of British Society of Gastroenterology Inflammatory Bowel Disease Group members

BackgroundData from the METRIC trial (PMID:29914843) has shown that small bowel ultrasound has very good diagnostic accuracy for disease extent, presence and activity in Crohn’s Disease (CD), is well tolerated by patients and is cheaper when compared to MRI. However, Uptake of ultrasound in the UK is limitedMethodsWe designed and conducted an online survey to assess the current usage of ultrasound throughout the UK. The survey was undertaken by BSG IBD group members between 9 June 2021 - 25 June 2021. Responses were anonymous, respondents were able to skip questions.Results103 responses were included in the data analysis Responses came from 14 different regions of the UK, from 66 individual NHS trusts. 103 respondents reported that they currently have an MRI service for Crohn’s disease, where only 31 had an ultrasound service. Numbers of MRIs per month was reported as an average of 15, with a range of 3-75. The average number of ultrasounds undertaken was reported as 8 per month, with a range of 0-50. Average time for results to be reported for MRI scans was reported as between 4-6 weeks, with a range of 2 days to 28 weeks. The average time for an ultrasound to be reported was stated as 1-4 weeks, with a range of 0-8 weeks. 26 respondents were ‘extremely confident’ when using MRI data to make clinical decisions, 5 were ‘very confident’ were somewhat confident and 3 were not so confident. Only 6 respondents stated they would be extremely confident in using ultrasound to make clinical decisions, 17 people stated they would be very confident, 20 were somewhat confident, 15 not so confident and 15 not at all confident. Of those respondents who did not have access to an ultrasound service, 72 stated that they would be interested in developing an ultrasound service.ConclusionThere is an appetite for the uptake of ultrasound in the UK for assessment of CD, however there remains a significant number of UK centres with little or no access to an ultrasound service. There is a difference in the levels of confidence that clinicians have in using ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in the UK. Further research is necessary to understand why this is the case. Results from this survey will go on to inform our future work in developing an implementation package for ultrasound in the UK in the NH